Sardine Pasta Is Having A Moment – Here’s How To Make It

Tinned fish was one of the biggest trends of 2023, taking over TikTok’s recipe section as well as infiltrating the world of interiors (AKA #sardinecore). But it seems the craze is going nowhere, with Google Trends reporting a record high in searches for sardines. You can do a lot with a tin of the humble oily fish, from popping them on the BBQ to enjoying them simply with a slice of toast. In 2025, though, it’s all about sardine pasta. 

Chefs have long been including sardines in their pasta dishes. Although they have a slightly fishy taste, it’s not overpowering, and their meaty texture stands up well in sauces – whether that’s a spicy tomato number, or a creamy lemon dish.

3 Viral Sardine Pasta Recipes

Pasta con le Sarde

@ashleylamego HOLIDAY DINNER SERIES: Ep.36 Pasta with Sardines (Pasta con le Sarde)​✨ 1 can of Sardines in Olive oil (cut into pieces) Sardine oil from package 1 package of your pasta of choice ¼ cup of extra virgin olive oil ¼ cup of finely chopped onions 4 cloves of finely chopped garlic 1 tsp of chilli flakes (optional) 1 tsp of salt and pepper ½ cup of parmesan cheese 1 cup of toasted breadcrumbs Zest of 1 lemon ⅓ cup of fresh parsley​ ​ In a large pan on medium-high heat warm your sardine oil and extra virgin olive oil. Add your chopped onions and let fry for a few minutes until slightly softened and then add in your chopped garlic. At this point you may add your chilli flakes; however that is optional Add your cut sardines and let fry for 2-3 minutes. In a small pan toast your breadcrumbs in 1 tbsp of olive oil. In the meantime, boil water and cook your pasta as per package (I like to use spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine for this dish. Reserve a cup of your salted pasta water. Once pasta is cooked, add to your sauce, along with ½ cup of your pasta water (if you find the dish too dry you may add more ) and give everything a good stir on low heat. Top with fresh parsley, toasted breadcrumbs, lemon zest and parmesan cheese Serve and ENJOY 🙂​ ​ #holidaydinner #christmaseve #pastaconlesarde #sardinepasta #growingupitalian #calabrese #christmadevedinner #easyrecipe #cookwithme #italian #italianrecipe #brislingsardines #sardinerecipes #pastarecipes #pasta #easyrecipes # #canada #toronto #recipes #recipeoftheday #healthyrecipes ♬ Love Letter – Cavendish Music

Ingredients:

• 1 can sardines in olive oil (cut into pieces)
• Sardine oil from package
• 1 package of your pasta of choice
• ¼ cup of extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ cup of finely chopped onions
• 4 cloves of finely chopped garlic
• 1 tsp of chilli flakes (optional)
• 1 tsp of salt and pepper
• ½ cup of Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup of toasted breadcrumbs
• Zest of 1 lemon
• ⅓ cup of fresh parsley​

Method:

1. In a large pan on medium-high heat warm your sardine oil and extra virgin olive oil.
2. Add your chopped onions and let fry for a few minutes until slightly softened and then add in your chopped garlic. At this point you may add your chilli flakes; however that is optional
3. Add your cut sardines and let fry for 2-3 minutes.
4. In a small pan toast your breadcrumbs in 1 tbsp of olive oil.
5. In the meantime, boil water and cook your pasta as per package (I like to use spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine for this dish). Reserve a cup of your salted pasta water.
6. Once pasta is cooked, add to your sauce, along with ½ cup of your pasta water (if you find the dish too dry you may add more) and give everything a good stir on low heat.
7. Top with fresh parsley, toasted breadcrumbs, lemon zest and Parmesan cheese.

Recipe created by @ashleylamego

Chorizo & Sardine Pasta

@eva.koper this chorizo & sardine pasta 🤤😍 recipe: 1 can sardines (in oil), cut in pieces 2 cloves garlic 1 tbsp crispy chili oil 1/4 chorizo, cut in small pieces 1 can of tomatoes @Mutti Pomodoro 1/4 tsp baking soda 1 aubergine 5 g fresh parsley 150 g spaghetti Parmesan on top Method: 1. Add the slices of garlic to a pan together with the oil from the sardines and crispy chili oil. Fry for 1 minute. 2. ⁠add the chorizo for 5 minutes or till crispy. 3. ⁠fry the aubergine in the meantime in a separate pan and cook the spaghetti. 4. add the sardines, tomatoes and baking soda. 5. ⁠stir in the aubergine, parsley salt, peper and spaghetti. 6. ⁠serve with Parmesan and extra parsley. #pasta #sardine #chorizo #dinnerrecipe ♬ original sound – Eva Koper 🍒

Ingredients:

• 1 can sardines (in oil), cut in pieces
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 tbsp crispy chili oil
• 1/4 chorizo, cut in small pieces
• 1 can of tomatoes @Mutti Pomodoro
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1 aubergine
• 5g fresh parsley
• 150g spaghetti
• Parmesan on top

Method:

1. Add the slices of garlic to a pan together with the oil from the sardines and crispy chili oil. Fry for 1 minute.
2. Add the chorizo for 5 minutes or until crispy.
3. Fry the aubergine in the meantime in a separate pan and cook the spaghetti.
4. Add the sardines, tomatoes and baking soda.
5. Stir in the aubergine, parsley salt, pepper and spaghetti.
6. Serve with Parmesan and extra parsley.

Recipe created by @eva.koper

Superfood Tinned Sardine Bolognese

@emthenutritionist SUPER FOOD SARDINE BOLOGNESE Honestly, this recipe will convert any tinned fish sceptic. If you like tuna pasta bake, you will love my superfood sardine bolognese. It comes together so quickly and uses something most of us have lurking in the back of our cupboards. You will need to serve 2 404 kcal & 22g of protein 140g spaghetti 120g tin sardines in tomato sauce 1 white onion, finely diced 2 sticks celery, finely diced 1 large carrot, finely diced 1/2 of dried rosemary or fresh 75ml red wine (optional) 1 tin high-quality chopped tomatoes 1 tbsp tomato purée Handful of Kalamata olives, cut in 1/2 2 large cloves garlic, chopped Pinch of red chilli flakes 2 tbsp capers 30g Parmesan Fresh parsley Heat a little olive oil in a pot and sauté the onion, carrot and celery with a pinch of salt and pepper for 5 minutes. Add the garlic, olives, capers and chilli and sauté for another minute or so. Pop a pot of water onto the boil for the pasta. Add the whole tin of sardines to the pot. Mix and cook for a few minutes to intensity the flavour. Pour in the red wine, cook out for 2 minutes then add in the tin of tomatoes, tomato puree and balsamic. Simmer gently for 10 minutes whilst you cook the pasta. Salt the pasta water generously, cook the spaghetti until al dente. Reserve a cup of pasta water. Add the pasta to the sauce with fresh parsley. Toast through to combine. Grate in the Parmesan, toss and loosen with a little pasta water if needed. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan if you wish. #healthyrecipes #dinnerideas #healthyeating ♬ original sound – Emily English

Ingredients:

• 140g dry weight spaghetti
• 120g tin sardines in tomato sauce
• 1 white onion, finely diced
• 2 sticks celery, finely diced
• 1 large carrot, finely diced
• 1/2 of dried rosemary or fresh
• 75ml red wine (optional)
• 1 tin high-quality chopped tomatoes
• 1 tbsp tomato purée
• Handful of Kalamata olives, cut in 1/2
• 2 large cloves garlic, chopped
• Pinch of red chilli flakes
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbsp capers
• 30g Parmesan
• Fresh parsley

Method:

1. Heat a little olive oil in a pot and sauté the onion, carrot and celery with a pinch of salt and pepper and rosemary for 5 minutes. Add the garlic, olives, capers and chilli and sauté for another minute or so.
2. Pop a pot of water onto the boil for the pasta.
3. Add the whole tin of sardines to the pot. Mix and cook for a few minutes to intensity the flavour. Pour in the red wine, cook out for 2 minutes then add in the tin of tomatoes, tomato puree and 1 tbsp balsamic. Simmer gently for 10 minutes whilst you cook the pasta.
4. Salt the pasta water generously, cook the spaghetti until al dente. Reserve a cup of pasta water.
5. Add the pasta to the sauce with fresh parsley. Toast through to combine. Grate in the Parmesan, toss and loosen with a little pasta water if needed. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan if you wish.

Recipe by @emthenutritionist